JACOPO TESTA
I was born in Milano and grew up in Sardinia where my great love for windsurfing started. I was about 10 years old when, with my brother Matteo, I did my first windsurfing course at Sporting Club Sardinia, from that moment I discovered the meaning of passion. Riccardo, the windsurfing dad of a friend of mine created a team – ‘TNT’. With them I started participating at events in various Italian locations where I met other windsurfing kids and could compare my level and try to improve it. During the summer I spent the windy days trying the moves; we were a big group with a lot of motivation. The beginning was hard because you don’t get tuned in straight away with your board and sail, the sea and wind and your body and its movement. Putting all these elements together was the biggest step. While growing up I wanted so much to change my life. I left the city and moved to Sardinia, started travelling and decided that windsurfing was going to be my profession. I hooked up with RRD because Gigi Le Carrò introduced me to them. RRD has become my first real sponsor and together with John Skye we also started a collaborative program for improvement of their boards and sails and we have had great progress so far!
DREAMS
My advice to kids wanting to follow my path is to cultivate the true passion that everyone has inside, that force is fundamental for realizing your dreams. I worked for many years at a windsurfing school as an instructor, I did so many courses, seeing so many people and numerous children. The hardest part of that job is to transmit your passion and keep the attention and interest of your students alive. Something you don’t know about me, I would like a farm and to be a farmer! Watch the seeds grow from the earth! For the next months though I’m just sowing the seeds of the new competition season ahead, starting with a trip to South Africa for some training. Bring on 2018!
